Letters to the editor for Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Published: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at 6:48 p.m.

Listening, then setting priorities

Please allow me to thank the counties that hosted us, the other elected officials, and the citizens present who voiced their concerns during our legislative delegation meetings over the last couple of weeks. I was pleased to see such a wonderful turnout by individuals from Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties.

I am also thankful toward my peers and colleagues for the opportunity to chair the Flagler and St. Johns delegation next year.

After two weeks of delegation meetings in three different counties, I am pleased to announce that I have reviewed all the information placed in front of me and have come to a consensus for the priorities for District 24.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that all three counties are focusing on jobs and the economy over the next year, and have asked the state to help position them for growth via transportation and regional planning. Either by roads or rail, each county was adamant about growth and funding to facilitate its needs for the economic future.

Education was another top priority. Presenters were concerned with lack of funding, scoring formulas, and constant yearly changes to curriculums without giving teachers a chance for proper implementation. Although most presenters, including school board members, elected officials, and teachers, agreed with the higher standards and accountabilities set forth by the state, they were concerned with timing to ensure all teachers and students had a chance to learn and teach what the state has asked of them.

Lastly, the counties in District 24 shared similar concerns regarding synthetic drugs, online travel taxation and Internet cafes. Each county believed that these are important issues that the state of Florida needs to address over this next sesson.

I would like to thank the voters of District 24 for entrusting me to represent them. I am ready to lead District 24 in these key issues, and make sure I represent this area and its concerns to the best of my ability.

TRAVIS HUTSON

Elkton

Hutson, a Republican, was elected in November to represent Florida House District 24, which covers Flagler County and includes portions of Volusia and St. Johns counties.

Money-saving suggestions

My recommendations to President Obama: I recommend the president close the Johnson Space Center in Houston and move it completely to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island, where it should have been all this time.

I recommend the president close the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and move it to Colorado Springs, close to the Air Force Academy.

I recommend the president close the Guantanamo base in Cuba, and move all the terrorist prisoners to a newly built prison at the former Lackland Air Force Base.

In the mountainous area of west Texas, I recommend the president order a two-mile deep mine shaft made, and send all nuclear waste to the mine.

Texas Republicans will complain, but who cares about Republican congressmen anyway?

RAY SALGADO

Port Orange

Try discipline, not prohibition

This was a tragedy of monumental proportions, and now all of the gun control liberals are wanting to institute more stringent controls. I think we have enough controls on guns, but we have no controls on the fruitcakes that commit these heinous crimes.

With all of the violent computer games the kids have access to from the age of 5, what do you expect the children to act like when they reach their teen years? If someone says, or does, something they don't agree with, offer them a glass of milk and a piece of cake?

When we were young, we had loaded guns in the house and we knew the consequences if we touched them because we had to stand up to eat. Why didn't these same people call for the banning of box cutters after 9/11? The only thing that happened after 9/11 was you could not carry your shampoo or toothpaste aboard an aircraft. Those were really dangerous weapons and could bring down an airplane.

If you want to start controlling the violence, quit buying your young children these violent games and start teaching them there will be severe consequences if they disobey you — and I don't mean time out for 10 minutes.

I don't blame the kids for their actions; after all the parents taught them that it is OK to solve their problems with violence. While we are at it, let's institute knife controls because they can be used to kill; rope controls because kids hang themselves with them; ban cellphones because they distract drivers and cause deaths; outlaw matches and cigarette lighters, because they start fires that lead to deaths.

Let's place the blame where it belongs, on the lack of parental supervision and training.

PERRY G. JONES

Daytona Beach

Kids trump gun rights

What is more important, our guns or our children? Last week, we took a few moments of silence to reflect on the slaughter of 26 innocent people — and then saw the spokesman for the National Rifle Association say we must have "good people" with more guns to solve this problem.

I am, and have always been, in favor of the Second Amendment. However, I'm more in favor of children being allowed to grow up and live their lives without being killed in school.

Whatever it takes, it has to be done now. Time means lives!

JAMES M. FLYNN Jr.

Ponce Inlet

Exploiting tragedy for gain

It was so predictable that President Barack Obama would use this tragedy for political purposes — to foist more gun control on law-abiding Americans. What is still true is that if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns. Many people have a better idea: Use logic and experience to implement a better policy.

It is true that as more people are armed, the less violent crime there is. When cowardly criminals realize they have to pick on someone their own size, i.e., someone with a gun, they quickly back down and move on to an easy victim.

I have a friend who worked the graveyard shift at a convenience store. He displayed his gun in his holster, and on several occasions he had people come in the store, look around, look at him, notice his sidearm and then move on. Let's get a certain percentage of the teachers and administrators at school trained, armed and ready. When the next deranged psycho enters the school grounds, there will be a much better chance that he or she will be the only fatality!

MARK A. McGRANE

Ormond Beach

Message borders on ridiculous

The National Rifle Association suggests that all "centers of education" (do they mean schools?) should become well-armed compounds. Teachers should not only have a master's degree in classroom education, but also a certificate in marksmanship. Does the organization believe that our youngsters and subsequent generations should go through their checklist before entering preschool? In effect, asking, "Johnnie, have you got your crayons, your cookies, your blankie, your AK-15? Now we are all prepared for kindergarten!"

MARY S. WARD

DeLand

Be consistent or stop interfering

It's either the USA police the world — or not.

It's either the U.S. government puts its nose in each and every country of the world, or it doesn't.

Because if they do, it's a good idea to do it and stand behind it all the way — for example, Russia is supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad, even though the whole world basically is against him.

On the contrary, when the U.S. supports a leader or a country, and the said person or country is facing some kind of problem, the U.S. — in the blink of an eye — will vanish, disappear and withdraw and, like the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate in the trial of Jesus, wash its hands!

That's a great approach to lose credibility and trust.

Otherwise, it's better to abandon the world police role, and start focusing on the American people. Instead of spending billions on foreign aid, spend it here.

<p class="bold allcaps">Listening, then setting priorities</p>
<p>Please allow me to thank the counties that hosted us, the other elected officials, and the citizens present who voiced their concerns during our legislative delegation meetings over the last couple of weeks. I was pleased to see such a wonderful turnout by individuals from Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. </p><p>I am also thankful toward my peers and colleagues for the opportunity to chair the Flagler and St. Johns delegation next year. </p><p>After two weeks of delegation meetings in three different counties, I am pleased to announce that I have reviewed all the information placed in front of me and have come to a consensus for the priorities for District 24. </p><p>It should come as no surprise to anyone that all three counties are focusing on jobs and the economy over the next year, and have asked the state to help position them for growth via transportation and regional planning. Either by roads or rail, each county was adamant about growth and funding to facilitate its needs for the economic future. </p><p>Education was another top priority. Presenters were concerned with lack of funding, scoring formulas, and constant yearly changes to curriculums without giving teachers a chance for proper implementation. Although most presenters, including school board members, elected officials, and teachers, agreed with the higher standards and accountabilities set forth by the state, they were concerned with timing to ensure all teachers and students had a chance to learn and teach what the state has asked of them. </p><p>Lastly, the counties in District 24 shared similar concerns regarding synthetic drugs, online travel taxation and Internet cafes. Each county believed that these are important issues that the state of Florida needs to address over this next sesson. </p><p>I would like to thank the voters of District 24 for entrusting me to represent them. I am ready to lead District 24 in these key issues, and make sure I represent this area and its concerns to the best of my ability.</p><p><b>TRAVIS HUTSON</p><p>Elkton</b></p><p></p><p><i>Hutson, a Republican, was elected in November to represent Florida House District 24, which covers Flagler County and includes portions of Volusia and St. Johns counties.</i></p><h3>Money-saving suggestions</h3>
<p>My recommendations to President Obama: I recommend the president close the Johnson Space Center in Houston and move it completely to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island, where it should have been all this time. </p><p>I recommend the president close the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and move it to Colorado Springs, close to the Air Force Academy. </p><p>I recommend the president close the Guantanamo base in Cuba, and move all the terrorist prisoners to a newly built prison at the former Lackland Air Force Base. </p><p>In the mountainous area of west Texas, I recommend the president order a two-mile deep mine shaft made, and send all nuclear waste to the mine. </p><p>Texas Republicans will complain, but who cares about Republican congressmen anyway?</p><p><b>RAY SALGADO</p><p>Port Orange</b></p><h3>Try discipline, not prohibition</h3>
<p>This was a tragedy of monumental proportions, and now all of the gun control liberals are wanting to institute more stringent controls. I think we have enough controls on guns, but we have no controls on the fruitcakes that commit these heinous crimes. </p><p>With all of the violent computer games the kids have access to from the age of 5, what do you expect the children to act like when they reach their teen years? If someone says, or does, something they don't agree with, offer them a glass of milk and a piece of cake? </p><p>When we were young, we had loaded guns in the house and we knew the consequences if we touched them because we had to stand up to eat. Why didn't these same people call for the banning of box cutters after 9/11? The only thing that happened after 9/11 was you could not carry your shampoo or toothpaste aboard an aircraft. Those were really dangerous weapons and could bring down an airplane. </p><p>If you want to start controlling the violence, quit buying your young children these violent games and start teaching them there will be severe consequences if they disobey you &mdash; and I don't mean time out for 10 minutes. </p><p>I don't blame the kids for their actions; after all the parents taught them that it is OK to solve their problems with violence. While we are at it, let's institute knife controls because they can be used to kill; rope controls because kids hang themselves with them; ban cellphones because they distract drivers and cause deaths; outlaw matches and cigarette lighters, because they start fires that lead to deaths. </p><p>Let's place the blame where it belongs, on the lack of parental supervision and training.</p><p><b>PERRY G. JONES</p><p>Daytona Beach</b></p><h3>Kids trump gun rights</h3>
<p>What is more important, our guns or our children? Last week, we took a few moments of silence to reflect on the slaughter of 26 innocent people &mdash; and then saw the spokesman for the National Rifle Association say we must have "good people" with more guns to solve this problem. </p><p>I am, and have always been, in favor of the Second Amendment. However, I'm more in favor of children being allowed to grow up and live their lives without being killed in school. </p><p>Whatever it takes, it has to be done now. Time means lives!</p><p><b>JAMES M. FLYNN Jr.</p><p>Ponce Inlet</b></p><h3>Exploiting tragedy for gain</h3>
<p>It was so predictable that President Barack Obama would use this tragedy for political purposes &mdash; to foist more gun control on law-abiding Americans. What is still true is that if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns. Many people have a better idea: Use logic and experience to implement a better policy. </p><p>It is true that as more people are armed, the less violent crime there is. When cowardly criminals realize they have to pick on someone their own size, i.e., someone with a gun, they quickly back down and move on to an easy victim. </p><p>I have a friend who worked the graveyard shift at a convenience store. He displayed his gun in his holster, and on several occasions he had people come in the store, look around, look at him, notice his sidearm and then move on. Let's get a certain percentage of the teachers and administrators at school trained, armed and ready. When the next deranged psycho enters the school grounds, there will be a much better chance that he or she will be the only fatality!</p><p><b>MARK A. McGRANE</p><p>Ormond Beach</b></p><h3>Message borders on ridiculous</h3>
<p>The National Rifle Association suggests that all "centers of education" (do they mean schools?) should become well-armed compounds. Teachers should not only have a master's degree in classroom education, but also a certificate in marksmanship. Does the organization believe that our youngsters and subsequent generations should go through their checklist before entering preschool? In effect, asking, "Johnnie, have you got your crayons, your cookies, your blankie, your AK-15? Now we are all prepared for kindergarten!"</p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><b>MARY S. WARD</p><p> </p><p>DeLand</b></p><h3>Be consistent or stop interfering</h3>
<p>It's either the USA police the world &mdash; or not. </p><p>It's either the U.S. government puts its nose in each and every country of the world, or it doesn't. </p><p>Because if they do, it's a good idea to do it and stand behind it all the way &mdash; for example, Russia is supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad, even though the whole world basically is against him. </p><p>On the contrary, when the U.S. supports a leader or a country, and the said person or country is facing some kind of problem, the U.S. &mdash; in the blink of an eye &mdash; will vanish, disappear and withdraw and, like the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate in the trial of Jesus, wash its hands! </p><p>That's a great approach to lose credibility and trust. </p><p>Otherwise, it's better to abandon the world police role, and start focusing on the American people. Instead of spending billions on foreign aid, spend it here.</p><p><b>NAJI NEHME</p><p>Daytona Beach</b></p>